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Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals

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December 10, 2020 By Laurie Love

The Cabrillo College Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals course provides a survey of wine grape varietals, including a comparative sensory evaluation of wine varietals, focusing on terroir effect and world winegrowing regions. The course is intended for the beginning and intermediate wine student, culinary student, wine professional, and consumer enthusiast. This course (CAHM 172B) together with the companion course CAHM 172A, Wine and Wine Service, form the foundation of the Cabrillo Wine Program. Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals is required for each of the three wine Skills Certificates.

In this overview course, you will learn:

  • How to taste and evaluate wine
  • Basics of viticulture
  • Basics of winemaking
  • Key wine varietals of the world
  • Characteristics, winemaking options, and world regions of key varietals
  • General wine vocabulary

This online course is only meant to complement the live online course being next taught at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California. You can register here for the live online course, and this Wine-ed.com course is complimentary.

Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals (CAHM 172B)
Spring 2021 – January 25, 2021 to May 22, 2021
Mondays 6:00 – 8:05 PM

For more information about the Cabrillo College Wine Program, our course offerings, and our Skills Certificates, please click here to see the Course Catalog and scroll down to the Wine section.

The Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals course was written by professional wine educator and writer Laurie Love, WSET Level 3, CSW, FWS, and Sommelier. Ms. Love is WSET Level 3 certified with Distinction, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and a French Wine Scholar with Highest Honors. Ms. Love also graduated from the Cabrillo College Wine Program with Honors earning three Skills Certificates in wine. She can be reached at laurie@baymoon.com.

Course Content

Expand All | Collapse All
Lessons Status
1

Introduction to Sensory Evaluation
  • Varietal Basics

2

Deductive Tasting Technique
  • Preparing to Taste
  • Appearance
  • Aromas
  • Flavors
  • Conclusions

3

Viticulture Basics
  • Terroir
  • Climate and Weather
  • Vineyard Basics
  • Vineyard Management
  • Common Vineyard Diseases and Pests

4

Winemaking Basics
  • How Wine is Made
  • Winemaking Options

5

Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Varietal Characteristics
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Cabernet Sauvignon

6

Chardonnay
  • Chardonnay Varietal Characteristics
  • Chardonnay Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Chardonnay

7

Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sauvignon Blanc Varietal Characteristics
  • Sauvignon Blanc Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sauvignon Blanc

8

Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Noir Varietal Characteristics
  • Pinot Noir Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Pinot Noir

9

Zinfandel
  • Zinfandel Varietal Characteristics
  • Zinfandel Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Zinfandel

10

Sangiovese
  • Sangiovese Varietal Characteristics
  • Sangiovese Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sangiovese

11

Merlot
  • Merlot Varietal Characteristics
  • Merlot vs. Cab
  • Merlot Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Merlot

12

Grenache
  • Grenache Varietal Characteristics
  • Grenache Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Grenache

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Introduction to Sensory Evaluation
  • Varietal Basics
Deductive Tasting Technique
  • Preparing to Taste
  • Appearance
  • Aromas
  • Flavors
  • Conclusions
Viticulture Basics
  • Terroir
  • Climate and Weather
  • Vineyard Basics
  • Vineyard Management
  • Common Vineyard Diseases and Pests
Winemaking Basics
  • How Wine is Made
  • Winemaking Options
Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Varietal Characteristics
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
  • Chardonnay Varietal Characteristics
  • Chardonnay Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sauvignon Blanc Varietal Characteristics
  • Sauvignon Blanc Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Noir Varietal Characteristics
  • Pinot Noir Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Pinot Noir
Zinfandel
  • Zinfandel Varietal Characteristics
  • Zinfandel Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Zinfandel
Sangiovese
  • Sangiovese Varietal Characteristics
  • Sangiovese Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sangiovese
Merlot
  • Merlot Varietal Characteristics
  • Merlot vs. Cab
  • Merlot Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Merlot
Grenache
  • Grenache Varietal Characteristics
  • Grenache Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Grenache

Course Progress

  • "The first thing thing Sue Slater told us in my first class, “This class will change your life.” Two and a half years later, I sold my coffee shop of seven years and jumped head first into the wine industry. In 2016, I purchased the wine bar I worked and have owned it for two years now."
    Cathy Bentley
    Cork and Fork, Capitola
  • "I wanted to keep going to class, so I just kept doing it for fun not really thinking I would work in the industry. But after a few classes, I was learning quite a lot and decided to pursue a WSET certification. I got a part time job and worked a couple weekends a month, which led to a variety of other jobs."
    Genevieve Daly
    Hallcrest Vineyards

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